Editing Battle of Cape Esperance

{{Short description|Battle in the Pacific theatre of World War II}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict    = Battle of Cape Esperance
| image       = AobaEsperance.jpg
| image_size  = 300px
| caption     = The heavily damaged Japanese cruiser {{Ship|Japanese cruiser|Aoba||2}} disembarks dead and wounded crew members near Buin, [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]] and the [[Shortland Islands]] a few hours after the battle on 12 October 1942
| partof      = the [[Pacific War|Pacific Theater]] of [[World War II]]
| date        = 11–12 October 1942
| place       = Near [[Cape Esperance]] and [[Savo Island]], [[Guadalcanal]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|9|6|S|159|39|E|region:SB-GU_type:event_dim:100000|display=inline,title}}
| result      = American victory
| combatant1  = {{flag|United States|1912}}
| combatant2  = {{flagcountry|Empire of Japan}}
| commander1  = [[Norman Scott (admiral)|Norman Scott]]
| commander2  = [[Aritomo Gotō]]{{KIA}}<br />[[Takatsugu Jojima]]{{Executed}}
| units1      = Task Force 64
| units2      = 6th Cruiser Division
| strength1   = 2 [[heavy cruisers]]<br />2 [[light cruisers]]<br />5 [[destroyers]]
| strength2   = 3 heavy cruisers <br/>2 destroyers<br />reinforcement convoy (indirectly involved):<br />6 destroyers<br />2 [[seaplane tender]]s
| casualties1 = [[USS Duncan (DD-485)|1 destroyer sunk]]<br />1 heavy cruiser damaged <br />1 light cruiser severely damaged<ref name="ReferenceA">Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal''</ref><br />1 destroyer severely damaged<br />2 floatplanes<ref name="ReferenceA">Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal''</ref><br /> 163 killed<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 310. Breakdown of U.S. deaths are: ''Boise''- 107, ''Duncan''- 48, ''Salt Lake City''- 5, and ''Farenholt''- 3.</ref>
| casualties2 = [[Japanese cruiser Furutaka|1 heavy cruiser sunk]]<br />[[Japanese destroyer Fubuki (1927)|1 destroyer sunk]]<br />1 heavy cruiser heavily damaged<br />341–454 killed<br />111 captured<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 309. Frank breaks down the Japanese deaths as follows: ''Furutaka''- 258, ''Aoba''- 79, ''Fubuki''- 78 (with 111 captured), ''Murakumo''- 22, and ''Natsugumo''- 17. Hackett says 80 were killed on ''Aoba'' in addition to Gotō and 33 were killed and 110 missing on ''Furutaka''.</ref>
Plus: 2 retreating destroyers sunk by aircraft the following day
}}
{{Campaignbox Guadalcanal}}
{{Campaignbox Solomons}}

The '''Battle of Cape Esperance''', also known as the '''Second Battle of Savo Island''' and in Japanese sources as the {{Nihongo|'''Sea Battle of Savo Island'''|サボ島沖海戦}}, took place on 11–12 October 1942, in the [[Pacific War|Pacific campaign]] of [[World War II]] between the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] and [[United States Navy]]. The [[Naval warfare|naval battle]] was the second of four major surface engagements during the [[Guadalcanal campaign]] and took place at the entrance to the strait between [[Savo Island]] and [[Guadalcanal]] in the [[Solomon Islands]]. [[Cape Esperance]] {{nowrap|({{Coord|9|15|S|159|42|E |region:SB-GU_type:landmark|display=inline|name=Cape Esperance}})}} is the northernmost point on Guadalcanal, and the battle took its name from this point.

On the night of 11 October, Japanese naval forces in the Solomon Islands area—under the command of [[Vice Admiral]] [[Gunichi Mikawa]]—sent a major supply and reinforcement convoy to their forces on Guadalcanal. The convoy consisted of two [[seaplane tender]]s and six [[destroyer]]s and was commanded by [[Rear Admiral]] [[Takatsugu Jojima]]. At the same time but in a separate operation, three heavy [[cruiser]]s and two destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral [[Aritomo Gotō]]—were to [[bombardment|bombard]] the [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[airfield]] on Guadalcanal (called [[Henderson Field (Guadalcanal)|Henderson Field]] by the Allies) with the object of destroying Allied aircraft and the airfield's facilities.

Shortly before midnight on 11 October, a U.S. force of four cruisers and five destroyers—under the command of Rear Admiral [[Norman Scott (admiral)|Norman Scott]]—intercepted Gotō's force as it approached Savo Island near Guadalcanal. Taking the Japanese by surprise, Scott's warships sank one of Gotō's cruisers and one of his destroyers, heavily damaged another cruiser, mortally wounded Gotō, and forced the rest of Gotō's warships to abandon the bombardment mission and retreat. During the exchange of gunfire, one of Scott's destroyers was sunk, and one cruiser and another destroyer were heavily damaged. In the meantime, the Japanese supply convoy successfully completed unloading at Guadalcanal and began its return journey without being discovered by Scott's force. Later on the morning of 12 October, four Japanese destroyers from the supply convoy turned back to assist Gotō's retreating, damaged warships. Air attacks by U.S. aircraft from Henderson Field sank two of these destroyers later that day.

As with the preceding naval engagements around Guadalcanal and to be expected from a battle of relatively limited size, the strategic outcome was inconclusive because neither the Japanese nor United States navies secured operational control of the waters around Guadalcanal as a result of this action, and a heavy bombardment operation against Henderson Field would be conducted soon after, causing severe destruction in the three nights between 13 and 16 October. However, the Battle of Cape Esperance provided a significant morale boost to the U.S. Navy after its disastrous defeat at the [[Battle of Savo Island]].

==Background==
On 7 August 1942, [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] forces (primarily U.S.) landed on Guadalcanal, [[Tulagi]], and [[Florida Islands]] in the [[Solomon Islands]]. The objective was to deny the islands to the Japanese as bases for threatening the [[materiel|supply]] routes between the U.S. and Australia, and secure starting points for a campaign to isolate the major Japanese base at [[Rabaul]] while also supporting the Allied [[New Guinea campaign]]. The [[Guadalcanal campaign]] would last six months.<ref>Hogue, ''Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal'', pp. 235–236.</ref>

The 2,000 to 3,000 Japanese personnel on the islands were taken by complete surprise, and by nightfall on 8 August, the 11,000 Allied troops, under the command of [[Lieutenant General]] [[Alexander Vandegrift]], [[Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu–Tanambogo|secured Tulagi]] and nearby small islands as well as the Japanese airfield under construction at [[Lunga Point]] on Guadalcanal, named "[[Henderson Field (Guadalcanal)|Henderson Field]]" by the Allies. Allied aircraft operating from Henderson were called the "[[Cactus Air Force]]" (CAF) after the Allied code name for Guadalcanal.<ref>Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 14–15 and Shaw, ''First Offensive'', p. 18. Henderson Field was named after Major [[Lofton R. Henderson]], a marine aviator killed during the [[Battle of Midway]].</ref>

In response, the Japanese [[Imperial General Headquarters]] assigned the [[Imperial Japanese Army]]'s 17th Army—a [[corps]]-sized formation headquartered at Rabaul under Lieutenant-General [[Harukichi Hyakutake]]—with the task of retaking Guadalcanal. On 19 August, various units of the 17th Army began to arrive on the island.<ref>Griffith, ''Battle for Guadalcanal'', p. 96–99, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 225.</ref>

The threat posed by Allied aircraft prevented the Japanese from using large, slow transport ships to deliver their troops and supplies to the island, so warships were used instead. These ships—mainly light [[cruiser]]s and [[destroyer]]s—were usually able to make the round trip down "[[New Georgia Sound#World War II|the Slot]]" to Guadalcanal and back in a single night, thereby minimizing their exposure to air attacks. Delivering troops in this manner, however, prevented most of the heavy equipment and supplies, such as heavy artillery, vehicles, and much food and ammunition, from being delivered. In addition, they expended destroyers, which were desperately needed for [[convoy|commerce defense]]. These high-speed runs occurred throughout the campaign and were later called the "[[Tokyo Express]]" by the Allies and "Rat Transportation" by the Japanese.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 202, 210–211.</ref>
[[File:RabaulStrategicArea.jpg|thumb|right|The Solomon Islands area in the south Pacific. The Japanese base at Rabaul is at the upper left. Guadalcanal (lower right) lies at the southeastern end of "[[New Georgia Sound#WWII—The Slot|The Slot]]", the route utilized by Japanese "Tokyo Express" missions.]]

With their heavier concentration of surface combat vessels, their well-positioned logistical base at [[Simpson Harbour|Simpson Harbor]], [[Rabaul]], and their victory at the [[Battle of Savo Island]] in early August, the Japanese had established operational control over the waters around Guadalcanal at night. However, any Japanese ship remaining within range—about {{cvt|200|mi|nmi km}}—of American aircraft at Henderson Field during the daylight hours was in danger of damaging air attacks. This persisted for the months of August and September 1942. The presence of Admiral [[Norman Scott (admiral)|Norman Scott's]] task force at Cape Esperance represented the U.S. Navy's first major attempt to wrest night time operational control of waters around Guadalcanal away from the Japanese.<ref>Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 113–114.</ref>

The first attempt by the Japanese Army to recapture Henderson Field was on 21 August, in the [[Battle of the Tenaru]], and the next, the [[Battle of Edson's Ridge]], from 12–14 September; both failed.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 141–143, 156–158, 228–246, & 681.</ref> The Japanese set their next major attempt to recapture Henderson Field for 20 October and moved most of the [[2nd Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|2nd]] and [[38th Division (Imperial Japanese Army)|38th infantry divisions]], totalling 17,500 troops, from the [[Dutch East Indies]] to Rabaul in preparation for delivering them to Guadalcanal. From 14 September to 9 October, numerous Tokyo Express runs delivered troops from the Japanese 2nd Infantry Division as well as Hyakutake to Guadalcanal. In addition to cruisers and destroyers, some of these runs included the seaplane carrier {{Ship|Japanese seaplane carrier|Nisshin||2}}, which delivered heavy equipment to the island including vehicles and heavy artillery other warships could not carry because of space limitations. The Japanese Navy promised to support the army's planned offensive by delivering the necessary troops, equipment, and supplies to the island, and by stepping up air attacks on Henderson Field and sending warships to bombard the airfield.<ref>Rottman, ''Japanese Army'', p. 61; Griffith, ''Battle for Guadalcanal'', p. 152; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 224, 251–254, 266–268, & 289–290; Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 225–226; and Smith, ''Bloody Ridge'', pp. 132 & 158.</ref>

In the meantime, [[Major General]] [[Millard Harmon|Millard F. Harmon]]—commander of [[United States Army]] forces in the South Pacific—convinced Vice Admiral [[Robert L. Ghormley]]—overall commander of Allied forces in the [[South Pacific Area]]—that the Marines on Guadalcanal needed to be reinforced immediately if the Allies were to successfully defend the island from the next expected Japanese offensive. Thus, on 8 October, the 2,837 men of the [[164th Infantry Regiment (United States)|164th Infantry Regiment]] from the U.S. Army's [[Americal Division]] boarded ships at [[New Caledonia]] for the trip to Guadalcanal with a projected arrival date of 13 October.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 293; Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 19–20; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 147–148; and Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 225.</ref>
[[File:Rear-Admiral-Norman-Scott-i02454.jpg|thumb|left|upright|U.S. [[Rear Admiral]] [[Norman Scott (admiral)|Norman Scott]]]]

To protect the transports carrying the 164th to Guadalcanal, Ghormley ordered Task Force 64 (TF&nbsp;64), consisting of four cruisers ({{USS|San Francisco|CA-38|2}}, {{USS|Boise|CL-47|2}}, {{USS|Salt Lake City|CA-25|2}}, and {{USS|Helena|CL-50|2}}) and five destroyers ({{USS|Farenholt|DD-491|2}}, {{USS|Duncan|DD-485|2}}, {{USS|Buchanan|DD-484|2}}, {{USS|McCalla|DD-488|2}}, and {{USS|Laffey|DD-459|2}}) under Scott, to intercept and combat any Japanese ships approaching Guadalcanal and threatening the convoy. Scott conducted one night battle practice with his ships on 8 October, then took station south of Guadalcanal near [[Rennell Island]] on 9 October, to await word of any Japanese naval movement toward the southern Solomons.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 16 and 19–20; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 295–297; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 148–149; and Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 225. Since not all the TF 64 warships were available, Scott's force was designated as Task Group 64.2. The U.S. destroyers were from Squadron 12, commanded by Captain Robert G. Tobin in ''Farenholt''.</ref>

Continuing with preparations for the October offensive, Japanese Vice Admiral Gunichi Mikawa's [[8th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|Eighth Fleet]] staff, headquartered at Rabaul, scheduled a large and important Tokyo Express supply run for the night of 11 October. ''Nisshin'' would be joined by the seaplane carrier {{Ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Chitose||2}} to deliver 728 soldiers, four large [[Type 96 15 cm Howitzer|howitzers]], two [[Type 94 75 mm Mountain Gun|field guns]], one [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft gun]], and a large assortment of ammunition and other equipment from the Japanese naval bases in the [[Shortland Islands]] and at Buin, [[Bougainville Island|Bougainville]], to Guadalcanal. Six destroyers, five of them carrying troops, would accompany ''Nisshin'' and ''Chitose''. The supply convoy—called the "Reinforcement Group" by the Japanese—was under the command of Rear Admiral [[Takatsugu Jojima]]. At the same time but in a separate operation, the three heavy cruisers of Cruiser Division 6 (CruDiv6)—{{Ship|Japanese cruiser|Aoba||2}}, {{Ship|Japanese cruiser|Kinugasa||2}}, and {{Ship|Japanese cruiser|Furutaka||2}}, all participants in the [[Battle of Savo Island]], under the command of [[Rear Admiral]] [[Aritomo Gotō]]—were to bombard Henderson Field with special explosive shells with the object of destroying the CAF and the airfield's facilities. Two screening destroyers—{{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Fubuki|1927|2}} and {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Hatsuyuki|1928|2}}—accompanied CruDiv6. Since U.S. Navy warships had yet to attempt to interdict any Tokyo Express missions to Guadalcanal, the Japanese were not expecting any opposition from U.S. naval surface forces that night.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 295–296; Hackett, ''IJN Aoba: Tabular Record of Movement''; Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 31 and 57; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 149–151; D'Albas, ''Death of a Navy'', p. 183; and Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 226. ''CombinedFleet.com'' states Jojima commanded the reinforcement convoy. Other accounts, however, state the commanding officer of ''Nisshin'' commanded the convoy and Jojima was not present. Jojima may have issued orders to the convoy from elsewhere in the Solomon Islands or from Rabaul.</ref>

==Battle==

===Prelude===
[[File:Goto Aritomo.jpg|thumb|upright|Japanese Rear Admiral [[Aritomo Gotō]]]]
[[File:CapeEsperanceChart1.jpg|thumb|right|Map showing the movements of Gotō's and Jojima's forces during the battle. The light grey line skirting Savo Island depicts Gotō's planned approach and exit route for the bombardment mission. ''Hatsuyuki'' is misidentified as ''Murakumo''.]]

At 08:00, on 11 October, Jojima's reinforcement group departed the Shortland Islands anchorage to begin their {{cvt|250|mi|nmi km}} run down the Slot to Guadalcanal. The six destroyers that accompanied ''Nisshin'' and ''Chitose'' were {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Asagumo|1938|2}}, {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Natsugumo|1937|2}}, {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Yamagumo|1937|2}}, {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Shirayuki|1928|2}}, {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Murakumo|1928|2}}, and {{Ship|Japanese destroyer|Akizuki|1941|2}}. Gotō departed the Shortland Islands for Guadalcanal at 14:00 the same day.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 31–32 and 57; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 296; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 150–151; and Hackett, ''IJN Seaplane Tender'' Chitose.</ref>

To protect the reinforcement group's approach to Guadalcanal from the CAF, the Japanese [[11th Air Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|11th Air Fleet]], based at Rabaul, [[Kavieng]], and [[Buin, Papua New Guinea|Buin]], planned two air strikes on Henderson Field for 11 October. A "fighter sweep" of 17 [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero]] fighters swept over Henderson Field just after mid-day but failed to engage any U.S. aircraft. Forty-five minutes later, the second wave—45 [[Mitsubishi G4M]]2 "[[World War II Allied names for Japanese aircraft|Betty]]" bombers and 30 Zeros—arrived over Henderson Field. In an ensuing air battle with the CAF, one G4M and two U.S. fighters were downed. Although the Japanese attacks failed to inflict significant damage, they did prevent CAF bombers from finding and attacking the reinforcement group. As the reinforcement group transited the Slot, relays of 11th Air Fleet Zeros from Buin provided escort. Emphasizing the importance of this convoy for Japanese plans, the last flight of the day was ordered to remain on station over the convoy until darkness, then [[Water landing|ditch]] their aircraft and await pickup by the reinforcement group's destroyers. All six Zeros ditched; only one pilot was recovered.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp.295–296; Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 32–33; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 149–150. Frank says five of the Zero pilots were not recovered, but Cook says all but one was rescued.</ref>

Allied [[reconnaissance]] aircraft from Guadalcanal sighted Jojima's supply convoy {{cvt|210|mi|nmi km}} between [[Kolombangara]] and [[Choiseul Island|Choiseul]] in the Slot at 14:45 on the same day and reported it as two "cruisers" and six destroyers. Gotō's force—following the convoy—was not sighted. In response to the sighting of Jojima's force, at 16:07 Scott turned toward Guadalcanal for an interception.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 19 and 31; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 296; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 150; Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 226; and Hackett, ''IJN Seaplane Tender'' Chitose.</ref>

Scott crafted a simple battle plan for the expected engagement. His ships would steam in column with his destroyers at the front and rear of his cruiser column, searching across a 300 degree arc with SG surface [[radar]] in an effort to gain positional advantage on the approaching enemy force. The destroyers were to illuminate any targets with searchlights and discharge torpedoes while the cruisers were to open fire at any available targets without awaiting orders. The cruiser's float aircraft, launched in advance, were to find and illuminate the Japanese warships with flares. Although ''[[USS Helena (CL-50)|Helena]]'' and ''[[USS Boise (CL-47)|Boise]]'' carried the new, greatly improved SG radar, Scott chose ''[[USS San Francisco (CA-38)|San Francisco]]'' as his [[flagship]].<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 293–294; Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 22–23, 25–27, and 37; and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 149.</ref>

At 22:00, as Scott's ships neared Cape Hunter at the northwest end of Guadalcanal, three of Scott's cruisers launched [[floatplane]]s. One crashed on takeoff, but the other two patrolled over Savo Island, Guadalcanal, and [[Ironbottom Sound]]. As the floatplanes were launched, Jojima's force was just passing around the mountainous northwestern shoulder of Guadalcanal, and neither force sighted each other. At 22:20, Jojima radioed Gotō and told him no U.S. ships were in the vicinity. Although Jojima's force later heard Scott's floatplanes overhead while unloading along the north shore of Guadalcanal, they failed to report this to Gotō.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 25–29, 33, and 60; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 298–299; Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 226; and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 152–153.</ref>

At 22:33, just after passing Cape Esperance, Scott's ships assumed battle formation. The column was led by ''Farenholt'', ''Duncan'', and ''Laffey'', and followed by ''San Francisco'', ''Boise'', ''Salt Lake City'', and ''Helena''. ''Buchanan'' and ''McCalla'' brought up the rear. The distance between each ship ranged from {{cvt|500|to|700|yd|m}}. Visibility was poor because the moon had already set, leaving no [[Low-key lighting|ambient light]] and no visible sea horizon.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 20, 26, and 36; Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p.298; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 152–153.</ref>

Gotō's force passed through several rain [[squall]]s as they approached Guadalcanal at {{cvt|30|kn|mph km/h}}. Gotō's flagship ''Aoba'' led the Japanese cruisers in column, followed by ''Furutaka'' and ''Kinugasa''. ''Fubuki'' was [[starboard]] of ''Aoba'' and ''Hatsuyuki'' to [[port]]. At 23:30, Gotō's ships emerged from the last rain squall and began appearing on the radar scopes of ''Helena'' and ''Salt Lake City''. The Japanese, however, whose warships were not equipped with radar, remained unaware of Scott's presence.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 299; Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 58–60; Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 152–153.</ref>

===Order of battle===
[[File:Furutaka on speed trials 1939.jpg|thumb|280px|Heavy cruiser ''Furutaka'']]
[[File:Japanese_destroyer_Shirayuki_in_1931.jpg|thumb|280px|''Fubuki''-class destroyer]]

====Imperial Japanese Navy====
Rear Admiral '''Aritomo Gotō'''<ref>Morison, pp.&nbsp;map 151</ref><ref>Silverstone, pp.&nbsp;67-135</ref>

: '''3 heavy cruisers'''
:: 1 {{sclass|Furutaka|cruiser|0}}: '''{{ship|Japanese cruiser|Furutaka||2}}''' ({{font color|red|sunk}})
:: 2 {{sclass|Aoba|cruiser|0}}: '''{{ship|Japanese cruiser|Aoba||2}}''' ({{font color|red|heavily damaged}}), '''{{ship|Japanese cruiser|Kinugasa||2}}'''
::: Top speed: 33 knots
::: Main battery: 6 × 8-inch 
::: Secondary battery:<ref name="secondary_gun">Because secondary armament mounted is typically mounted on one side of the superstructure, it can only fire toward that side of the ship. Therefore, its broadside includes only half the total number of guns</ref> 4 × 4.7-inch
::: Anti-aircraft battery: 8 × 25mm, 4 × 13mm 
::: Torpedo tubes: 8 × 24-inch 
: '''2 destroyers'''
:: Both {{sclass|Fubuki|destroyer|0}}: '''{{ship|Japanese destroyer|Fubuki|1927|2}}''' ({{font color|red|sunk}}), '''{{ship|Japanese destroyer|Hatsuyuki|1928|2}}'''
::: Top speed: 34 knots
::: Main battery: 6 × 5-inch 
::: Anti-aircraft battery: 2 × 13mm 
::: Torpedo tubes: 9 × 24-inch

====United States Navy====
[[File:USS_San_Francisco_(CA-38)_underway_on_8_April_1944.jpg|thumb|280px|Heavy cruiser ''San Francisco'']]
[[File:USS_Farenholt_%28DD-491%29.jpg|thumb|280px|Destroyer ''Farenholt'']]

Rear Admiral '''Norman Scott'''<ref>Morison, pp.&nbsp;150-151</ref><ref>Watts, pp.&nbsp;71-150</ref>
: '''2 heavy cruisers'''
:: 1 {{sclass|New Orleans |cruiser|0}}: '''{{USS|San Francisco|CA-38|2}}'''
::: Top speed: 32.7 knots
::: Main battery: 9 × 8-inch guns
::: Secondary battery:<ref name="secondary_gun" /> 8 × 5-inch/25-cal. dual-purpose
:: 1 {{sclass|Pensacola|cruiser|0}}: '''{{USS|Salt Lake City|CA-25|2}}''' ({{font color|red|damaged}})
::: Top speed: 32.7 knots
::: Main battery: 10 × 8-inch guns
::: Secondary battery: 8 × 5-inch/25-cal. dual-purpose
: '''2 light cruisers'''
:: Both {{sclass|Brooklyn|cruiser|0}}: '''{{USS|Boise|CL-47|2}}''' ({{font color|red|heavily damaged}}), '''{{USS|Helena|CL-50|2}}'''
::: Top speed: 34 knots
::: Main battery: 15 × 6-inch guns
::: Secondary battery: 8 × 5-inch/25-cal. dual-purpose
: '''5 destroyers'''
:: 3 {{sclass|Gleaves|destroyer|0}}: '''{{USS|Buchanan|DD-484|2}}''', '''{{USS|Duncan|DD-485|2}}''' ({{font color|red|sunk}}), '''{{USS|McCalla|DD-488|2}}'''
:: 2 {{sclass|Benson|destroyer|0}}: '''{{USS|Farenholt|DD-491|2}}''' ({{font color|red|heavily damaged}}), '''{{USS|Laffey|DD-459|2}}'''
::: Top speed: 37 knots
::: Main battery: 4 × 5-inch guns<ref name="us_destroyer_guns">assuming a by that time typical armament of 4 guns on ''Farragut'' through ''Gleaves'' class destroyers (as per Office of Naval Intelligence: "ONI 222-US, United States Navy Vessels" for example)</ref>
::: Torpedo tubes: 10 × 21-inch

===Action===
At 23:00, the ''San Francisco'' aircraft spotted Jojima's force off Guadalcanal and reported it to Scott. Scott, believing more Japanese ships were likely still on the way, continued his course towards the west side of Savo Island. At 23:33, Scott ordered his column to turn towards the southwest to a heading of 230°. All of Scott's ships understood the order as a column movement except Scott's own ship, ''San Francisco''. As the three lead U.S. destroyers executed the column movement, ''San Francisco'' turned simultaneously. ''Boise''—following immediately behind—followed ''San Francisco'', thereby throwing the three van destroyers out of formation.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 38–42, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 299, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 153–156.</ref>

At 23:32, ''Helena''{{'}}s radar showed the Japanese warships to be about {{cvt|27700|yd|m}} away. At 23:35, ''Boise''{{'}}s and ''Duncan''{{'}}s radars also detected Gotō's ships. Between 23:42 and 23:44, ''Helena'' and ''Boise'' reported their contacts to Scott on ''San Francisco'' who mistakenly believed the two cruisers were actually tracking the three U.S. destroyers that were thrown out of formation during the column turn. Scott radioed ''Farenholt'' to ask if the destroyer was attempting to resume its station at the front of the column. ''Farenholt'' replied, "Affirmative, coming up on your starboard side," further confirming Scott's belief that the radar contacts were his own destroyers.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 299–301, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 42–43, 45–47, 51–53, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 154–156.</ref>

At 23:45, ''Farenholt'' and ''Laffey''—still unaware of Gotō's approaching warships—increased speed to resume their stations at the front of the U.S. column. ''Duncan''{{'}}s crew, however, thinking that ''Farenholt'' and ''Laffey'' were commencing an attack on the Japanese warships, increased speed to launch a solitary [[torpedo]] attack on Gotō's force without telling Scott what they were doing. ''San Francisco''{{'}}s radar registered the Japanese ships, but Scott was not informed of the sighting. By 23:45, Gotō's ships were only {{cvt|5000|yd|m}} away from Scott's formation and visible to ''Helena''{{'}}s and ''Salt Lake City''{{'}}s lookouts. The U.S. formation at this point was in position to [[Crossing the T|cross the T]] of the Japanese formation, giving Scott's ships a significant tactical advantage. At 23:46, still assuming that Scott was aware of the rapidly approaching Japanese warships, ''Helena'' radioed for permission to open fire, using the general procedure request, "Interrogatory Roger" (meaning, basically, "Are we clear to act?"). Scott answered with, "Roger", meaning only that the message was received, not that he was confirming the request to act. Upon receipt of Scott's "Roger", ''Helena''—thinking they now had permission—opened fire, quickly followed by ''Boise'', ''Salt Lake City'', and to Scott's further surprise, ''San Francisco''.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 42–50, 53–56, 71, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 300–301, D'Albas, ''Death of a Navy'', p. 184, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', pp. 227–228, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 156–157.</ref>
[[File:CapeEsperanceChart.jpg|thumb|left|U.S. Navy track chart of the battle accurately depicts the movements of the U.S. ships (lower tracks) but not the Japanese ship tracks (upper, darker line).]]

Gotō's force was taken almost completely by surprise. At 23:43, ''Aoba''{{'}}s lookouts sighted Scott's force, but Gotō assumed that they were Jojima's ships. Two minutes later, ''Aoba''{{'}}s lookouts identified the ships as American, but Gotō remained skeptical and directed his ships to flash identification signals. As ''Aoba''{{'}}s crew executed Gotō's order, the first American salvo smashed into ''Aoba''{{'}}s superstructure. ''Aoba'' was quickly hit by up to 40 shells from ''Helena'', ''Salt Lake City'', ''San Francisco'', ''Farenholt'', and ''Laffey''. The shell hits heavily damaged ''Aoba''{{'}}s communications systems and demolished two of her main gun turrets as well as her main gun director. Several large-caliber projectiles passed through ''Aoba''{{'}}s flag bridge without exploding, but the force of their passage killed many men and mortally wounded Gotō.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 301–302, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 68–70, 83–84, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', pp. 226–227, D'Albas, ''Death of a Navy'', p. 186, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 158–160.</ref>

Scott—still unsure who his ships were firing at and afraid they might be firing on his own destroyers—ordered a ceasefire at 23:47, although not every ship complied. Scott ordered ''Farenholt'' to flash her recognition signals, and upon observing that ''Farenholt'' was close to his formation he ordered the fire resumed at 23:51.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 70–77, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 302, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 158–160.</ref>

''Aoba'', continuing to receive damaging hits, turned to starboard to head away from Scott's formation and began making a smoke screen which led most of the Americans to believe that she was sinking. Scott's ships shifted their fire to ''Furutaka'', which was following behind ''Aoba''. At 23:49, ''Furutaka'' was hit in her [[Type 93 torpedo|torpedo]] [[Torpedo tube|tubes]], igniting a large fire that attracted even more shellfire from the U.S. ships. At 23:58, a torpedo from ''Buchanan'' hit ''Furutaka'' in her forward engine room, causing severe damage. During this time, ''San Francisco'' and ''Boise'' sighted ''Fubuki'' about {{cvt|1400|yd|m}} away and raked her with shellfire, joined soon by most of the rest of Scott's formation. Heavily damaged, ''Fubuki'' began to sink. ''Kinugasa'' and ''Hatsuyuki'' chose to turn to port rather than to starboard and so escaped the Americans' immediate attention.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 302–304, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 73–79, 83–86, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 228, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 160–162.</ref>

During the exchange of gunfire, ''Farenholt'' received several damaging hits from both the Japanese and the American ships, killing several men. She escaped from the crossfire by crossing ahead of ''San Francisco'' and passing to the disengaged side of Scott's column. ''Duncan''—still engaged in her solitary torpedo attack on the Japanese formation—was also hit by gunfire from both sides, set afire, and looped away in her own effort to escape the crossfire.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 80–84, 106–108, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 303–304, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 161–162.</ref>
[[File:USS Boise (CL-47) at anchor, circa in late August 1942 (80-G-K-558).jpg|thumb|right|The U.S. cruiser ''Boise'' at [[Espiritu Santo]], [[New Hebrides]] in August 1942]]

As Gotō's ships endeavored to escape, Scott's ships tightened their formation and then turned to pursue the retreating Japanese warships. At 00:06, two torpedoes from ''Kinugasa'' barely missed ''Boise''. ''Boise'' and ''Salt Lake City'' turned on their searchlights to help target the Japanese ships, giving ''Kinugasa''{{'}}s gunners clear targets. At 00:10, two shells from ''Kinugasa'' exploded in ''Boise''{{'}}s main ammunition magazine between turrets one and two. The resulting explosion killed almost 100 men and threatened to blow the ship apart. Seawater rushed in through rents in her hull opened by the explosion and helped quench the fire before it could explode the ship's powder magazines. ''Boise'' immediately sheered out of the column and retreated from the action. ''Kinugasa'' and ''Salt Lake City'' exchanged fire with each other, each hitting the other several times, causing minor damage to ''Kinugasa'' and damaging one of ''Salt Lake City''{{'}}s boilers, reducing her speed.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 304–305, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 74–75, 88–95, 100–105, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', pp. 228–229, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 162–165.</ref>

At 00:16, Scott ordered his ships to turn to a heading of 330° in an attempt to pursue the fleeing Japanese ships. Scott's ships, however, quickly lost sight of Gotō's ships, and all firing ceased by 00:20. The American formation was beginning to scatter, so Scott ordered a turn to 205° to disengage.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 96–97, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 306, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 163–166.</ref>

===Retreat===
During the battle between Scott's and Gotō's ships, Jojima's reinforcement group completed unloading at Guadalcanal and began its return journey unseen by Scott's warships, using a route that passed south of the [[Russell Islands]] and [[New Georgia]]. Despite extensive damage, ''Aoba'' was able to join ''Kinugasa'' in retirement to the north through the Slot. ''Furutaka''{{'}}s damage caused her to lose power around 00:50, and she sank at 02:28, {{cvt|22|mi|nmi km}} northwest of Savo Island. ''Hatsuyuki'' picked up ''Furutaka''{{'}}s survivors and joined the retreat northward.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 58, 97–98, 111, 120, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 306–307, D'Albas, ''Death of a Navy'', p. 187, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 229, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 168–169.</ref>

''Boise'' extinguished her fires by 02:40 and at 03:05 rejoined Scott's formation. ''Duncan''—on fire—was abandoned by her crew at 02:00. Unaware of ''Duncan''{{'}}s fate, Scott detached ''McCalla'' to search for her and retired with the rest of his ships towards Nouméa, arriving in the afternoon of 13 October. ''McCalla'' located the burning, abandoned ''Duncan'' about 03:00, and several members of ''McCalla''{{'}}s crew made an attempt to keep her from sinking. By 12:00, however, they had to abandon the effort as bulkheads within ''Duncan'' collapsed, causing the ship to sink {{cvt|6|mi|nmi km}} north of Savo Island. American servicemen in boats from Guadalcanal as well as ''McCalla'' picked up ''Duncan''{{'}}s scattered survivors from the sea around Savo. In total, 195 ''Duncan'' sailors survived; 48 did not. As they rescued ''Duncan''{{'}}s crew, the Americans came across the more than 100 ''Fubuki'' survivors, floating in the same general area. The Japanese initially refused all rescue attempts but a day later allowed themselves to be picked up and taken prisoner.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 307–308, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 95–96, 108–110, 114–130, 135–138, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 166–169.</ref>
[[File:Murakumo.jpg|thumb|left|Japanese destroyer ''Murakumo'']]

Jojima, upon learning of the bombardment force's crisis, detached destroyers ''Shirayuki'' and ''Murakumo'' to assist ''Furutaka'' or her survivors and ''Asagumo'' and {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Natsugumo|1937|2}} to rendezvous with ''Kinugasa'', which had paused in her retreat northward to cover the withdrawal of Jojima's ships. At 07:00, five CAF [[Douglas SBD Dauntless|Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless]] [[dive bomber]]s attacked ''Kinugasa'' but inflicted no damage. At 08:20, 11 more SBDs found and attacked ''Shirayuki'' and {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Murakumo|1928|2}}. Although they scored no direct hits, a near miss caused ''Murakumo'' to begin leaking oil, marking a trail for other CAF aircraft to follow. A short time later, seven more CAF SBDs and six [[Grumman TBF Avenger|Grumman TBF-1 Avenger]] [[torpedo bomber]]s, accompanied by 14 [[Grumman F4F Wildcat|Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats]], found the two Japanese destroyers {{cvt|170|mi|nmi km}} from Guadalcanal. In the ensuing attack, ''Murakumo'' was hit by a torpedo in her engineering spaces, leaving her without power. In the meantime, ''Aoba'' and ''Hatsuyuki'' reached the sanctuary of the Japanese base in the Shortland Islands at 10:00.<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 111, 120–122, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 308–309, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 169.</ref>

Rushing to assist ''Murakumo'', ''Asagumo'' and ''Natsugumo'' were attacked by another group of 11 CAF SBDs and TBFs escorted by 12 fighters at 15:45. An SBD placed its bomb almost directly amidships on ''Natsugumo'' while two more near misses contributed to her severe damage. After ''Asagumo'' took off her survivors, ''Natsugumo'' sank at 16:27. The CAF aircraft also scored several more hits on the stationary ''Murakumo'', setting her afire. After her crew abandoned ship, ''Shirayuki'' scuttled her with a torpedo, picked up her survivors, and joined the rest of the Japanese warships for the remainder of their return trip to the Shortland Islands.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 309, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 130–131, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 230, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 169.</ref>

==Aftermath and significance==
Captain Kikunori Kijima—Gotō's chief of staff and commander of the bombardment force during the return trip to the Shortland Islands after Gotō's death in battle—claimed that his force had sunk two American cruisers and one destroyer. ''Furutaka''{{'}}s Captain Araki Tsuto—who survived the sinking of his ship—blamed the loss of his cruiser on bad air reconnaissance and poor leadership from the 8th fleet staff under Admiral Mikawa. Although Gotō's bombardment mission failed, Jojima's reinforcement convoy was successful in delivering the crucial men and equipment to Guadalcanal. ''Aoba'' journeyed to [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], [[Japan]], for repairs that were completed on 15 February 1943. ''Kinugasa'' was sunk one month later during the [[Naval Battle of Guadalcanal]].<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 309–312, Hackett, ''IJN Aoba'', Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 169–171.</ref>
[[File:USS Boise (CL-47) Battle of Cape Esperance scoreboard, in November 1942 (80-G-36299).jpg|thumb|right|A U.S. sailor points to the scoreboard on USS ''Boise'' after the ship's return to the U.S. for battle damage repairs in November 1942. The scoreboard claims that ''Boise'' assisted in sinking three cruisers and three destroyers, greatly exaggerating actual Japanese losses in the battle. The claimed kills include a [[Mogami-class cruiser|''Mogami''-class heavy cruiser]] and [[Sendai-class cruiser|''Sendai''-class light cruiser]], neither of which were even present at Cape Esperance.]]

Scott claimed that his force sank three Japanese cruisers and four destroyers. News of the victory was widely publicized in the American media. ''Boise''—which was damaged enough to require a trip to the [[Philadelphia Naval Shipyard]] for repairs—was dubbed the "one-ship fleet" by the press for her exploits in the battle, although this was mainly because the names of the other involved ships were withheld for security reasons. ''Boise'' was under repair until 20 March 1943.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', p. 311, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', pp. 140–144, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 170–171.</ref>

Although a tactical victory for the U.S., Cape Esperance had little immediate strategic effect on the situation on Guadalcanal. Just two days later on the night of 13/14 October, the Japanese battleships {{Ship|Japanese battleship|Kongō||2}} and {{Ship|Japanese battleship|Haruna||2}} bombarded and almost destroyed Henderson Field, firing a total of 918 14-inch shells.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://combinedfleet.com/haruna.htm |title=Imperial Battleships |access-date=2022-01-24 |archive-date=2011-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305043702/http://www.combinedfleet.com/haruna.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> One day after that, a large Japanese convoy successfully delivered 4,500 troops and equipment to the island. This was followed on the night of 14/15 October by a bombardment from heavy cruisers {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Kinugasa||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Chokai||2}} which fired a combined 752 8-inch shells at the airfield,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/chokai_t.htm |title=Imperial Cruisers |access-date=2022-01-24 |archive-date=2016-02-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229175031/http://www.combinedfleet.com/chokai_t.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/kinugasa_t.htm |title=Imperial Cruisers |access-date=2007-03-28 |archive-date=2012-01-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107202605/http://www.combinedfleet.com/kinugasa_t.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and then again during the night of 15/16 October, this time by heavy cruisers {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Maya||2}} and {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Myoko||2}} firing 912 8-inch shells.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/maya_t.htm |title=Imperial Cruisers |access-date=2022-01-24 |archive-date=2021-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104033259/http://www.combinedfleet.com/maya_t.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The delivered troops and equipment helped complete Japanese preparations for the large land offensive scheduled to begin on 23 October. The convoy of U.S. Army troops reached Guadalcanal on 13 October as planned and were key participants for the Allied side in the decisive land [[battle for Henderson Field]] that took place from 23–26 October.<ref>Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 313–324, Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', p. 150–151, Dull, ''Imperial Japanese Navy'', p. 230, and Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', p. 171.</ref>

The Cape Esperance victory helped prevent an accurate U.S. assessment of Japanese skills and tactics in naval night fighting. The U.S. was still unaware of the range and power of Japanese torpedoes, the effectiveness of Japanese night optics, and the skilled fighting ability of most Japanese destroyer and cruiser commanders. Incorrectly applying the perceived lessons learned from this battle, U.S. commanders in future naval night battles in the Solomons consistently tried to prove that American naval gunfire was more effective than Japanese torpedo attacks. This belief was severely tested just two months later during the [[Battle of Tassafaronga]]. A junior officer on ''Helena'' later wrote, "Cape Esperance was a three-sided battle in which chance was the major winner."<ref>Cook, ''Cape Esperance'', p. 59, 147–151, Frank, ''Guadalcanal'', pp. 310–312, Morison, ''Struggle for Guadalcanal'', pp. 170–171.</ref>

On 11 October, a large force of carriers and battleships together with their escort groups left [[Chuuk Lagoon#World War II|Truk]] and lingered in the area around Guadalcanal, heavily bombarding Henderson field and looking to intercept Allied reinforcement convoys. This buildup of naval forces would culminate in the subsequent [[Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands]].

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{Cite book |last=Cook |first=Charles O. |year=1992 |edition=Reissue |title=The Battle of Cape Esperance: Encounter at Guadalcanal |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1-55750-126-2}}
*{{Cite book |last=D'Albas |first=Andrieu |year=1965 |title=Death of a Navy: Japanese Naval Action in World War II |publisher=Devin-Adair Pub |isbn=0-8159-5302-X}}
*{{Cite book |last=Dull |first=Paul S. |year=1978 |title=A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1941–1945 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-097-1 | url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/battlehistoryofi0000dull}}
*{{Cite book |last=Frank |first=Richard B. | author-link=Richard B. Frank |year=1990 |title=Guadalcanal: The Definitive Account of the Landmark Battle |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |location=New York |isbn=0-14-016561-4 | url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/guadalcanal00rich}}
*{{Cite book |last=Griffith |first=Samuel B. | author-link=Samuel B. Griffith |year=1963 |title=The Battle for Guadalcanal |publisher=University of Illinois Press |location=Champaign, Illinois, US |isbn=0-252-06891-2}}
*{{Cite book |last=Morison |first=Samuel Eliot | author-link=Samuel Eliot Morison |year=1958 |chapter=Chapter 8 |title=The Struggle for Guadalcanal, August 1942 – February 1943'', vol. 5 of ''History of United States Naval Operations in World War II |publisher=[[Little, Brown and Company]] |location=Boston |isbn=0-316-58305-7}}
*{{Cite book |last=Rottman |first=Gordon L. |others=Dr. Duncan Anderson (consultant editor) |year=2005 |title=Japanese Army in World War II: The South Pacific and New Guinea, 1942–43 |publisher=Osprey |location=Oxford and New York |isbn=1-84176-870-7}}
*{{cite book |last=Silverstone |first=Paul H. |year=1970 |title=U.S. Warships of World War II |publisher=Doubleday and Co. |location=Garden City, NY |isbn=0-8702-1773-9}}
*{{cite book |last=Watts |first=A. J. |year=1966 |title=Japanese Warships of World War II |publisher=Ian Allan Ltd. |location=Shepperton, Surrey |isbn=0-7110-0215-0}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite web |last=Boehm |first=Roy |date=March 8, 1999 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/87521 |title=Blood In The Water |work=Newsweek | access-date=2009-06-14}}
*{{Cite news|author1-link=Thomas C. Hone |last=Hone |first=Thomas C. |year=1981 |title=The Similarity of Past and Present Standoff Threats |periodical=Proceedings of the U.S. Naval Institute |location=Annapolis, Maryland |volume=107|issue=9, September 1981 |pages=113–116 |issn=0041-798X}}
*{{Cite book |last=Hornfischer |first=James D. |year=2011 |title=Neptune's Inferno: The U.S. Navy at Guadalcanal |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-553-80670-0 | url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/neptunesinferno00jame}}
*{{Cite book |last=Kilpatrick |first=C. W. |year=1987 |title=Naval Night Battles of the Solomons |publisher=Exposition Press |isbn=0-682-40333-4}}
*{{Cite book |last=Lacroix |first=Eric |author2=Linton Wells |year=1997 |title=Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-87021-311-3}}
*{{Cite book |last=Langelo |first=Vincent A. |year=2000 |title=With All Our Might: The WWII History of the USS Boise (Cl-47) |publisher=Eakin Pr |isbn=1-57168-370-4}}
*{{Cite book |last=Lundstrom |first=John B. |year=2005 |edition=New |title=First Team And the Guadalcanal Campaign: Naval Fighter Combat from August to November 1942 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=1-59114-472-8}}
*{{Cite book |last=Miller |first=Thomas G. |year=1969 |title=Cactus Air Force |publisher=Admiral Nimitz Foundation |isbn=0-934841-17-9}}
*{{Cite book |last=Parkin |first=Robert Sinclair |year=1995 |title=Blood on the Sea: American Destroyers Lost in World War II |publisher=Da Capo Press |isbn=0-306-81069-7}}
*{{Cite book |last=Poor |first=Henry Varnum | author-link=Henry Varnum Poor (Yale dean) |author2=Henry A. Mustin & Colin G. Jameson |year=1994 |title=The Battles of Cape Esperance, 11 October 1942 and Santa Cruz Islands, 26 October 1942 (Combat Narratives. Solomon Islands Campaign, 4–5) |publisher=Naval Historical Center |isbn=0-945274-21-1}}
*{{Cite book |last=Morris |first=Frank Daniel |year=1943 |title="Pick out the biggest": Mike Moran and the men of the Boise |url=https://archive.org/details/pickoutbiggestmi00morr | url-access=registration |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Co}}

==External links==
{{Commons|Battle of Cape Esperance}}
*{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |author2=Sander Kingsepp |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/aoba_t.htm |title=IJN Aoba: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |author2=Sander Kingsepp |year=1998–2006 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/chitosesp_t.htm |title=IJN Seaplane Tender Chitose: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |author2=Sander Kingsepp |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/furuta_t.htm |title=IJN Furutaka: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060510233427/http://combinedfleet.com/furuta_t.htm| archive-date=10 May 2006 | url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |author2=Sander Kingsepp |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/kinugasa_t.htm |title=IJN Kinugasa: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Horan |first=Mark |url=http://www.navweaps.com/index_oob/OOB_WWII_Pacific/OOB_WWII_Cape-Esperance.htm |title=''Battle of Cape Esperance'' |work=Order of Battle | access-date=2006-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517134920/http://www.navweaps.com/index_oob/OOB_WWII_Pacific/OOB_WWII_Cape-Esperance.htm| archive-date=17 May 2006 | url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Hough |first=Frank O. |author2=Ludwig, Verle E. |author3=Shaw, Henry I. Jr. |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/I/index.html |title=Pearl Harbor to Guadalcanal |work=History of U.S. Marine Corps Operations in World War II | access-date=2006-05-16 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060627075209/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USMC/I/index.html| archive-date=27 June 2006 | url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Lanzendörfer |first=Tim |url=http://www.microworks.net/PACIFIC/battles/cape_esperance.htm |title=Stumbling Into Victory: The Battle of Cape Esperance |work=The Pacific War: The U.S. Navy | access-date=2006-05-16}}
*{{Cite web |last=Nevitt |first=Allyn D. |year=1998 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/fubuki_t.htm |title=IJN Fubuki: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Nevitt |first=Allyn D. |year=1998 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/hatsuy_t.htm |title=IJN Hatsuyuki: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Nevitt |first=Allyn D. |year=1998 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/muraku_t.htm |title=IJN Murakumo: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}
*{{Cite web |last=Nevitt |first=Allyn D. |year=1998 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/natsug_t.htm |title=IJN Natsugumo: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060517210223/http://www.combinedfleet.com/natsug_t.htm| archive-date=17 May 2006 | url-status=live}}
*{{Cite web |last=Office of Naval Intelligence |year=1943 |url=http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Esperance/index.html |title=''The Battle of Cape Esperance 11 October 1942'' |work=Combat Narrative |publisher=Publications Branch, Office of Naval Intelligence, United States Navy | access-date=2006-05-17 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060513024510/http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/USN-CN-Esperance/index.html| archive-date=13 May 2006 | url-status=live}} – somewhat inaccurate on details, since it was written during the war
*{{Cite web |last=Tobin |first=T. G. |date=October 23, 1942 |url=http://www.destroyerhistory.org/desron12/capeesperance.html |title=Report of Action off Savo Island, Solomons, Night of 11–12 October 1942. |work=Destroyer History Home Page (DestroyerHistory.org) | access-date=2006-06-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616081321/http://www.destroyerhistory.org/desron12/capeesperance.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> | archive-date=2006-06-16}} – Copy of the commander of U.S. Destroyer Squadron 12's after action report.
*{{Cite web |last=Tully |first=Anthony P. |year=2003 |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/Nisshin.htm |title=IJN Nisshin: Tabular Record of Movement |work=Imperial Japanese Navy Page (CombinedFleet.com) | access-date=2006-06-14}}

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[[Category:1942 in Japan]]
[[Category:Guadalcanal Campaign]]
[[Category:World War II naval operations and battles of the Pacific theatre]]
[[Category:Naval battles of World War II involving Japan]]
[[Category:Naval battles of World War II involving the United States]]
[[Category:Conflicts in 1942]]
[[Category:1942 in the Solomon Islands]]
[[Category:Battles and operations of World War II involving the Solomon Islands]]
[[Category:Military history of Japan during World War II]]
[[Category:Pacific Ocean theater of World War II]]
[[Category:Night battles]]
[[Category:October 1942 events]]